...onto his lineup card again.  The Chicago Tribune reports that Baker has a man-crush on Kerry Wood (and every other play he has coached) and would like to have Wood in Cincinnati:

"We have a closer already in [ Francisco] Cordero, who we have under contract for a few more years," Baker said Monday. "But somebody can use Kerry Wood. I am going to call him. I like Kerry Wood as a person, not just as a ballplayer, but as a person. I will give him a call and see what's up."

My first thought is that Wood would be too expensive for a set-up man, plus we have options in house.  My second thought is that the market for closers is deep, and with Kerry's injury history, short tenure as a closer, and relationship with Dusty, he may accept a set-up role at a fair price.  Thoughts?

Oh and the 'D' in D'Backs stands for 'Declined'  (All because we are officially in a recession.)

Leadoff Hitters.
Are they really that important?  Must the lanky slap-hittin speedster fill the position?  Or should it be the guy with the best (pick your poison) AVG, OBP, SB, walk rate, friendly face, someone who works the count, disrupts pitchers while on the basepaths, ground ball hitter, fly ball hitter....

I am no genius on the matter, and this did not enlighten me.  This here was helpful but made the matter more complex.  And then I learn that we did this last year.  So what's up with the leadoff spot?  Is it some big myth made up in little league?  Or is there a science behind choosing the right guy?

More importantly who slides into the hole in spring training?
Do we let multiple guys play in our hole?
Do we allow a newbie into our hole or go to someone with a little more experience?
Do these questions sound oddly gay?    

Lets here who you want leading off for the Reds.

Via Reds.com

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Breaking it down: The Associated Press revealed the breakdown of Cordero's contract. The 32-year-old will receive a $500,000 signing bonus and be paid $8.5 million in 2008. The salary jumps to $12 million for each of the final three seasons with full no-trade protection for the first two seasons and a limited no-trade clause after that.

Thoughts on future? Dunn is heading into the option year of a contract that will pay him $13 million this season. Eligible to be a first-time free agent next winter, he was asked Thursday if aggressive acquisitions like Cordero's would make him more open to signing an extension with Cincinnati. There have yet to be any talks, he indicated.

"Hopefully, at some point we'll get to that," Dunn said. "I'm enjoying the offseason and I'll deal with it when it comes."
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Payroll will only be taking a 8.5 mil jump next year, still space to sign a crappy veteran reliever to a one year deal.

Strange that Cordero's contract jumps the year after Dunn's current contract.  Even scarier that there has been no talk of an extension.

Straight forward, fill in the blank.  What will happen this offseason?  This is not a wish list, but rather a predicitons list.  Keep your eyes on your own work.  Remember, 'you can look up for inspiration, you can look down in desperation, but don't look side to side for information.'  Pencils down papers over when finished.  Highest score gets one trip to the candy jar.

1.  (Assuming Harang, Arroyo, Bailey) who will be our #4 starter on opening day?
   
2.  #5 starter?
   
3.  name the Outfielders on opening day roster?
   
4.  Player most likely to be traded?
   
5.  Free agent most likely picked up?  FA List.
   
6.  Prospect everyone will be raving about next season?
   
7.  Suprise to make the club?
   
8.  Suprise to not make the club?
   
9.  Mike Stanton will __ on opening day?
   
10.  Juan Castro will __ on opening day?